Numbers 30:1

The diary conception will aid substantially in understanding the organization of the books of Moses. Apparently, the ancient lawgiver kept a careful record of all the things God commanded him to say to Israel, but it is noticeable that the legislation on vows, for example, which is given in this chapter also appears in several other places. It is supposed that the reason for these instructions being given right here lies simply in the fact that at this particular point in Moses' continual record of what God had commanded, the questions came up which led to these regulations. Many very capable scholars have observed this. "It is very probable that this law, like that concerning the succession of daughters (Numbers 27), rose from the exigency of some particular case that had just occurred."[1] Cook also agreed with this:

"It is probable that this fresh legislation dealing specially with vows made by persons in a state of tutelage, was occasioned by some case of practical difficulty that had recently risen."[2]

Such views are more intelligent and far more helpful than the radical type of exegesis that merely complains that, "Both from the literary point of view and from the point of content, this passage (Numbers 30) stands ... without any connection with what precedes or with what follows."[3] This is also a classical example of how a failure to discern the Mosaic authorship of these books makes it impossible to understand or explain some features found in them.

"And Moses spake unto the heads of the tribes of the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which Jehovah hath commanded. When a man voweth a vow unto Jehovah, or sweareth an oath to bind his soul with a bond, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth."

This legislation applied to all men, the commandment being simply that a man shall keep his word or suffer the disfavor of God Himself. Particularly, anything that a man promises solemnly to do, that he must do. The pioneer conception in America that a man's word was "as good as his bond" honored this law in the very manner that God intended. Despite the fact that it seems to be particularly religious vows that are in view here, the law extended to all solemn affirmations and promises.

The importance of this principle is so great that it is impossible to exaggerate it. "Indeed, a wholesome society can be maintained only by the integrity of the rank and file of its men and women."[4] The Biblical conception of a righteous man has always been that of "a man who sweareth to his own hurt and changes not" (Psalms 15:4).

The holy principle of a man's keeping his word can be grossly abused, and doubtless has frequently suffered abuse. "No man can be bound by his own promise to do what he is already forbidden to do by Divine command."[5] People who commit crimes or do anything wrong merely because they "promised" to do so are doubly guilty. It is a great sin to make a promise to commit a sin, and even a greater sin to honor the sinful promise. People who have made a sinful promise to rear their children in a false religion are under no obligation whatever to honor such a promise.